This course aims at providing a conceptual understanding of some of the many faces of the Universe. General issues relating to the nature of mathematics and science, of space and time, and of the universe as a whole will be discussed. The course will be divided into the following sections: History of Astronomy; The Structure of the Universe; The Geometry of Space-Time, including Special and General Relativity; Cosmology and the Arrow of Time; Quantum Mechanics; the Anthropic Principle; and Extra-Terrestrial Life. The various sections will be introduced in a historical context emphasising the evolution of thought leading to current understanding.

Course schedule

Assessment details

Each of the following five components of assessment is compulsory.

(The due dates are correct for 2014 and will be tweaked slightly for 2015.)

Two multiple-choice questions per tutorial, in any 10 of the 11 tutorials, each worth 1% of the overall mark for the course (so that in total the multiple choice questions are worth 20% of the overall mark for the course).

A 600-word written assignment worth 15% of the overall mark for the course, on a topic handed out in class;
assignment task handed out on Tuesday 11 March; due by 4 pm on Thursday 20 March

A second 600-word written assignment worth 15% of the overall mark for the course, on a topic handed out in class;
assignment task handed out on Tuesday 25 March; due by 4 pm on Thursday 3 April

One 1,500-word essay (MATH1042 students) or one 3,000-word essay (PHIL2042 students) worth 35% of the overall mark for the course,
on a choice of topics selected from those handed out in class;
assignment task handed out on Tuesday 13 May; due by 4 pm, Friday 13 June

Participation in tutorials and on the web discussion board (during the teaching period), worth 15% of the overall mark for the course, assessed by the tutors according to the following categories:

— make less than 2 worthwhile contributions to tutorials or the discussion board: 0% for the participation component

— make at least 2 worthwhile contributions to tutorials or the discussion board: 40% for the participation component (adding 6% to the overall course mark)

— make worthwhile contributions to several tutorials or several worthwhile discussion board postings: 70% for the participation component (adding 10.5% to the overall course mark)

— make original and outstanding contributions to several tutorials or the discussion board: 80—100% for the participation component (adding 12—15% to the overall course mark)

All students are expected to earn participation marks by contributing to the tutorials. Marks for participation on the web discussion board are combined with the tutorial marks to make up the overall participation mark. Participation on the web discussion board is not compulsory, and it is possible (although more difficult) for a student to obtain the maximum participation mark without using the discussion board.

Prescribed text

Readings available on Wattle, and additional readings recommended on the web site and/or handed out periodically in lectures.

Proscribed text

none

Generic skills

This course aims to develop the generic skills of critical thinking, verbal discussion and iconoclasm.

ANU Counselling Centre: The ANU offers a free and confidential counselling service to all current ANU students and staff. See http://www.anu.edu.au/counsel.

ANUSA: The Australian National University Students' Association (ANUSA) is the representative body of undergraduate students on campus. If you're an undergraduate student at ANU, then you're an ANUSA member. ANUSA consists of a number of elected students. They present student issues to the University Council, to Faculty Boards and on other official committees. ANUSA also represents student issues outside the campus, organises social events and provides some student services which are not otherwise provided by the University. See http://sa.anu.edu.au.